Big 510 Update: Blind Tiger Opens, Second Noodle Theory, and More

The social communal table setup at Blind Tiger. Photo courtesy of Blind Tiger.

Dishes from the second Noodle Theory location. Photo via Facebook.

We heard from the folks behind ~BLIND TIGER RESTAURANT AND BAR~, who have opened a restaurant in Uptown serving pan-Asian tapas and gastropub fare, with craft cocktails and 20 beers on tap. The menu includes a range of dishes from the raw bar, plus a variety of hot and cold dishes, all priced around $8 or so and the right style to go with cocktails.

The chef is Deena Chafetz, who cooked on the East Coast and specializes in Japanese and Thai. Bar manager Liam Gilmore was previously at Boot & Shoe, Penrose, Flora, Fauna, and more. All the cocktails feature fresh-squeezed citrus, housemade syrups and bitters, and fresh fruit garnishes. The 8,000-square-foot space has about 200 seats and was vacant for more than 20 years—it was previously a disco nightclub. It’s an underground space so look for the tiger’s head out front. Open nightly 5pm-1am, full kitchen open to 11pm, with a happy hour menu (with $1 oysters) from 5pm-7pm and 11pm-1am. 2600B Telegraph Ave. at 27th St., Oakland, 510-899-9694.

There’s a new chef at the helm at ~CALAVERA~ in Oakland: Sophina Uong is taking over for opening chef Christian Irabien. She was most recently at Revival Bar & Kitchen in Berkeley and Picàn in Oakland. 2337 Broadway at 23rd St., Oakland, 510-338-3273.

~NOODLE THEORY~ in Rockridge has opened a second (and very spacious) location on San Pablo in Emeryville—look for an expanded menu as well. Hours are Wed-Mon 11:30am-2:30pm and 5pm-9:30pm, closed Tue. 5849 San Pablo Ave. at 59th St., Emeryville, 510-922-8619.

Speaking of noodles, if you can’t wait to try Kyle Itani of Hopscotch’s ramen from his upcoming ~ITANI RAMEN~, you can attend a pop-up series before the restaurant opens in mid-April. The pop-ups will feature a very limited menu, with ramen from different regions and housemade gyoza. Running March 25th-27th, and April 1st-3rd and 8th-10th; follow along on Facebook for updates. 6pm to midnight. 1736 Telegraph Ave. at 18th St., Oakland, 510-788-7489.